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Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Well I overdid exercise on Monday, so yesterday I suffered. My legs were ridiculously sore, so I
whined and did little all day. I did complete my sewing project for my sister and it turned out perfectly even with my limited skill set. Then I grabbed a pile of comics and spent the rest of the day reading them.

So since I don't have any lace to share, here's a picture of one of my in-law's cats. This is Patty and she doesn't normally have a tan nose, I don't know what she got into. I think she has the prettiest eyes of any cat I've ever known, almost all white save for a light blue at the centers that makes them seem glue gray from a distance.

I've got no really plan for today either, though I suppose I should make an effort to get things photographed and in my shop. My legs are feeling better this morning, so maybe I'll be more inclined to move about and actually do things. We'll see.

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

The afternoon was packed with birthday goodness for the husband. We went shopping, saw Finding Dory with the family and ended with dinner out, where I ate far too much. The morning belonged to knotting though and I actually got another necklace made.

After the round of square loops I did these little triangles that leap from the top of the last on to the base of the next. I image that it they were bigger that trailing thread would be bothersome, but I think at this size, it's more of an interesting design element. I also started on them without counting stitches at all, so I'm feeling pretty lucky that it all worked out perfectly.

So that leaves me with two new Armenian knotted necklaces that are made and ready to list in my shop. I might get on that today, but I have a sewing project first. My sister has enlisted my help in converting a jumper into a shirt, and I think that's within my limited sewing skill set to do. It will likely take me much of the day to do it though. The sewing machine, and it's tension in particular, is not my best friend. In fact if I'm being honest, it might even look better if I hand sew it as I definitely have skills in that regard. Either way I'll get that done today and perhaps if time allows, I'll add the necklaces, oh and the hybrid lace bracelet needs adding as well, to the shop. Time will tell.

Monday, June 27, 2016

Well I didn't get anything put into the shop, but I did get some things made. Here is the first Armenian knotted lace necklace I was working on last week. I ended up making the pattern over 10 rows and then I did finish with a boring round of small loops. They may not be interesting, but they did give the piece a nice finished edge.

Instead of spending time getting the piece listed in my shop, I just
went ahead and used any of my sitting time over the weekend to crochet up another cord to try another. We had a Monty Python movie marathon which gave me plenty of sitting time. This time I went with the larger loops I've always used before and hen followed those up with square loops. I didn't take a new picture yet, but these were followed by another round of plain loops and I have a plan for the rest of the piece as well.

I'm not sure I'll get finished with it today though as it's the husbands birthday and there are plans much of the day, but hopefully I'll at least get started so I have something to share tomorrow.

Friday, June 24, 2016

Yesterday was basically a repeat of the day the preceded it. Though this time I think I got the Armenian knotting right. I still used the smaller knots, but this time I skipped one every fourth and created a bit of a pattern and thankfully that also worked to the get the piece back to the correct amount of curve.

It's not quite done yet, I want to give it a few more rounds so it's a more substantial piece. I think I also want to add something different to the last round to give it a bit of an edge, but I'm not sure whether I'm just going to add small loops all the way across or get more creative.

I believe the children are off to their grandparent's house today, so I'll also be glued to the TV, watching those DVR'd shows that the kids dislike. Hopefully all that sitting will result in a new piece finished and listed in the shop by Monday. What? It could happen.

Thursday, June 23, 2016

I tried to divide my time between my need to clear off my DVR by watching countless shows and my desire to exercise during the day by walking and reading. I managed to do both as well as get out my needle and thread and work on an Armenian knotted lace necklace. Though there's a bit of a downside to that last thing. You see, I was going along well with small loops in the crochet cord. The piece was curving slightly which is good.

Then about the third row, it was clear I had made a poor decision. The curve was getting far too pronounced. Worse the knots were so close together for the smaller loops that the only was to undo the decision was to carefully cut the entire section of knotted lace off of the crochet cord to start again. It was a slow, painstaking process and it left me with a plain cord to start over with again. I made a different choice with thee pattern, but it's too soon to tell whether or not it will have the same end as this one. That should be discovered today as the plan is the same as yesterday: reading, walking, DVR watching, and lace making.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

As I suspected our outing in the morning to Stanford stretched all the way to the afternoon. Once we were home, I had no energy to do anything aside from read and sit, so I have nothing interesting to share or tell. But I do have a couple of pictures of one of the cats playing with packing material so that's what I offer to the world today. This is JiJi, and that is his piece of brown paper. It is a cave and a costume, clearly.

Hopefully I'll get up to something creative today. There are no plans for the day, so it's likely that I'll think of something. If not hopefully the cats do something amusing.

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

We're off out of town ridiculously early this morning so I haven't a lot of time to write, but I did do some tatting yesterday. It would be a shame not to use the picture I actually managed to take So here is the custom choker I was working on yesterday.It's another one made with the macame slide closure. I do adore these as I don't have to working about findings to finish the piece. It's already finished and in the mail to it's new home this morning.

We'll be out of the house much of the day, so tomorrow's post is likely to be even shorter than this. I did get a crochet cord base made for another Armenian knotted lace necklace, but I haven't thought far enough to the design yet. Maybe while I'm off it'll come to me. I likely won't get it started though.

Monday, June 20, 2016

Here we are, the first day of Summer. I think for the first time ever it's both the beginning of summer vacation for our homeschool and the actual first day of Summer, though it's been hot or some time already. The weekend was full of errand running as usual, but this time it included the shipping off of school books, which was satisfying. We also had some visiting relatives to coincide with Father's Day, so Sunday was pretty much filled to bursting.

I still managed some thread work though. I finished up the Armenian knotted lace bib necklace on Friday. I've definitely gotten better at this since the last time I made this piece. I think the never-finished table cloth has given me invaluable practice with knotting.

I also got the other sold necklace remade as well. With this piece I made a few adjustments in knot count. I don't know if it's called knot count, but stitch count doesn't seem right, so that's what I'm calling it. I guess I've gotten comfortable making things up working on the tablecloth too.

I got an order for a custom tatted necklace overnight, so that's what is in queue for today. Well, that and waiting for the garage door installation to happen. I know, super fun summer plans so far. The heat is set to become ridiculous this week as well, so hiding from the day star is also the plan.

Friday, June 17, 2016

Here we are at the last day of homeschooling for the year. I am well and truly exhausted after this year. The next one promises to be even more work for all of us, but it's the road I chose and the kids seem to like it just fine. I am definitely ready to do a little nothing for awhile though, well at least for a couple of hours.

I did get some work done yesterday. I got both cords crocheted up for the necklaces that need remaking. I seem to have really gotten the hang of these things. I was sure it had been so long since I made the last one that I would have forgotten how, but it came back quickly and they work up faster than I remember. To make them work as necklace bases I start with a smaller crochet hook and creak the single chain for the slide closure, then switch to a larger hook for the cord section.

I even managed to get the knotting started on one of the pieces. This one is a bib style necklace, so it's really just a big triangle. Clearly I still have a ways to go on this one. I just work it back and forth losing a loop every row. There's no extra design elements in this one, so I should get it done today and start on the second one. That one has more of a pattern that needs paying attention to, but it's also a much more narrow piece. I Think when I'm done remaking these I might go back to the hybrid lace bracelet idea, or I might do a new Armenian lace necklace since I'm have a good time making cording. Or maybe I'll get more orders and have my work chosen for me. Either way works for me.

Thursday, June 16, 2016

As expected I didn't have any time for thread yesterday. As soon as schooling was over it was straight to the park for the Year End Celebration for the kids. Three of the kids' cousins were there along with their grandparents. We expected the grandparents, but the cousins were a surprise. The awards ceremony was followed by a pot luck picnic in the park for all the families. Those are my two girls in the center there getting an award.

Right after the picnic and fun with cousins, we went straight to the dentist for all of our appointments. We were there for a really long time. By the time we got home it was nearly time for dinner, so nope, no lace time for me.

Last night I got two orders. One before bed and the second overnight. Interestingly, they were both for Armenian lace pieces. So after schooling wraps today, I've got crochet cords to make so I can remake the necklaces. As those cords take forever to make, this should keep my busy for the rest of the week easily. Only two more days of schooling.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

I actually got some things done yesterday. I started gathering the kids school books to get ready to ship them back as soon as we're done for the year. When schooling was wrapped for the day I managed to quickly finish up the second bracelet in the custom order I've been working on. I even stopped while I was working to take a picture of it so I could share.

Once that was done I went right back to the Armenian lace and tatting experiment. I added the knotted lace to both sides of the tatted rings and as well as the ends to hold a hook and a loop for the clasp. The knotted lace holds up just fine on it's own, so I didn't feel the urge to add more tatting at the edges. Though I do have a few more ideas for a much more embellished cuff bracelet. I'm thinking a frilly cuff maybe, or a pineapple edging.

We have our Year End Celebration with the kids' school today in the park. It's an awards ceremony and pot luck picnic. After that it's family dental appointments. So I might not get anything worked on today at all.

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Yesterday started out just fine. I was happy to be starting the very last week of school. I found out that my oldest child has been promoted an extra grade for next year. The temperatures have even been nice. Then I got to learn some things I was fine not knowing. I got to learn how much I take a working appliance for granted. I got to learn how quickly and thoroughly one can break, and that lesson came with a little extra physical pain and a greasy mess. Finally I learned how exactly expensive that appliance, a new garage door opener, can be with installation costs. Next up I get to learn how long I have to wait for the store people to call and schedule the installation. This week took a bad turn very quickly.

After all that homeowner drama, I did get some time to sit down and work on the custom order I got Sunday. Of course I didn't have as much time as I hoped, so I only managed to finish one of the two bracelets I need to make. I also found myself wishing the order was for a drastically higher amount to undo the painful credit card transaction that we underwent.

I should be able to finish the other awareness bracelet today, barring anymore teaching moments from the the Universe. Then I'll get back to the Armenian lace and tatting experiment. Here's hoping the week turns back to good sooner rather than later.

Monday, June 13, 2016

You'll never guess what I got up to this weekend. Well, the start of the weekend was pretty usual. On Friday I had one teacher meeting then the oldest child did her two presentations online. She really did very well and once she was done, we were allowed to go into that nice relaxed slide for this next week of school. We still have classes to finish and tests to worry about, but nothing left that's too stressful.

There were the normal weekend errands, running to the shops, and some sitting about watching movies, but the shocking bit that I'm leading up to, is that I actually did some tatting! I had another idea to work out with the Armenian lace added to tatting. I started with this chain of rings surrounded by lock chains on both sides. I figured the lock chains would be better to join the knotting to.

I think I'm going to work the Armenian lace on both sides of the tatting, but I have no real planned pattern at this point. As usual I'm just making it up as I go. I was thinking that I might finish it off with more tatting at the edges as well, but if the knotting can hold it's shape well as it, I might not need to.

Of course I don't get to work on this today because I actually received a custom order yesterday evening. I am really quite happy to have tatting to do for someone. It is always so much more satisfying to make something when I know it has a home to go to.

Friday, June 10, 2016

Two more papers done for the child and turned in just in time. This morning she has to present one of
them and her science project in an interactive online session. So today should still be a high stress one. When that's over though, we can all relax a bit and coast through nest week, the last week of the school year.

I'm looking forward to future creative bursts of energy as well as time to do things like catch up on the dozens of hours of TV that have been piling up unwatched on my DVR. There is also a generous pile of comic books that I'd like to actually read. So one more week and my time is mostly mine again for awhile. And since I have nothing creative to show you, you get pictures of Chi Sai, our three footed cat, being forced to sit in my lap. She has personal space issues and has to be caught unawares to put up with any physical contact beyond scratching her back from a distance. You can see her plotting her escape in her eyes.

Thursday, June 9, 2016

I had the longest day ever yesterday. Well, it felt like the longest day. As assignment deadlines creep nearer we had to buckle down and get things truly completed. Yesterday that included the child typing up a fictional narrative she wrote that stretched over 30 pages and a science experiment complete with a power point slide presentation. I figured I had to take some pictures of the science project, so here are the ingredients. It involved darkness and crushing mints to make sparks. It was a weird day too.

After that was done I started in on the editing of the afore mentioned fictional narrative. I only made it halfway through last night, so it's also the first thing on my agenda today. I couldn't even get to sleep after that though, my brain kept sleep editing imaginary pages. While I do that there's still one more paper the child needs to write. I anticipate another long and tiring day today. The silver lining is that Friday is presentation day for all her work and then it's a quiet last week of school next week. Then maybe I can make some lace again.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

I was told by my husband that yesterday's 'good day' post was boring and that I should at least post some pictures of cats today. Since yesterday was pretty much a repeat of the day the preceded it, I decided to take his advice.

This is Neko sleeping and because he was the only cat cooperating
with my attempts to photograph them. This is also Neko once awakened.

He is also the cat that accompanies me to the computer every morning to write my blog, so he's currently sprawled out behind me on a box.

Hopefully after these last two weeks of schooling are over, I'll be in a better head space to create. The end of the year nonsense is piling on and I'm getting uncharacteristically flustered by all of it. When you home-school, the kids assignment deadlines really feel like they're yours and when you are asked to write a letter, you feel more like you're writing an essay someone is going to grade later. Oh well, nothing for it now.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

I've nothing to report on the morning, but I can't just skip writing without a really good reason. So here I am saying hey everybody out there, have a good day. Enjoy the warming weather, unless you're on the flip side from me and then enjoy the cooling weather. Tie some knots in string, if that is your thing. I certainly hope that I have something better to share tomorrow, but I wouldn't hold my breath, everything around here seems to be in a permanent holding pattern, at least until schooling wraps at the end of next week. Until tomorrow then.

Monday, June 6, 2016

It was a busy weekend, but unfortunately not a lace-busy weekend. We hosted another family birthday, ran errands, and watched movies My shop has remained entirely too quiet. I seem to be going more than a week between sales of any kind of lace and you know how that affects my creativity. No? Badly, it affects it badly. I get that, why bother? mentality that's hard to break out of. Thankfully I'm well distracted by end of the school year nonsense, so it will be some time before I really start to get whiny about it. The real downside right now is that I have nothing to share or show you and that makes my blogging boring and fairly useless, so here's to something interesting happening soon, just so I don't bore people to death.

Friday, June 3, 2016

It was another long day of schooling and not much else, except walking and reading. There was a lot of that as well. I'm crossing my fingers for a weekend surprise or bout of inspiration to get me back to my needle and thread.

In the meantime I did visit random.org this morning to chose a winner for my 1,000,000 page views giveaway and the winner is...Deana MacKenzie! Just message me on etsy to receive your credit code and instructions. Thanks again to everyone who commented and to all those silent readers out there as well. I'm glad that you can occasionally find something interesting in my ramblings. I hope to get back to a creative place soon, so I can stop being so bloody boring and give you something new to look at.

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Well, nothing new and interesting, again. We're at that deadline point in the kids' school year. There are papers due and the oldest child is very skilled at procrastination. This means I get to sit with her and pester...er, I mean encourage her to keep writing until the papers are all done. The hardest part for me is to just not write them myself, because I actually enjoy writing, but I know better and I just sit there poking at her with questions until she finally gets moving. All that extra time schooling means much less time for me to worry about tatting, or knotting anything.

I'm going to wait until tomorrow morning to pick a winner for my 1,000,000 page view giveaway, so if you missed that post yesterday, head there and add a comment to enter. I'll do two winners if many more people comment. So far, it's too few to justify more than one. Thank you to everyone who has commented with congratulations so far. Truly, this is just a bad habit I got into and can't stop. I fear I will be writing here long after anyone stills cares, purely out of habit.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Well, my computer is behaving again thanks to the husband, unfortunately I have little to share againthis morning. I've been extremely focused on the year end nonsense for the kids schooling and the shop has done little to grab my attention away from that.

I do have one bit of blogging news to share. I just noticed this morning that I just reached 1,000,000 page views! That's just crazy, right? Of course that did take like 8 years. I feel like I should do something to mark the occasion, but haven't a clue what. Okay, how about a quick giveaway. Just leave a comment on this blog post and I'll pick a winner or two on Friday to receive a $10 credit in my etsy shop. I know it's not much, but I'm making this up as I type.

So, thanks for popping by my blog for the last 8 years. Hopefully I'll get it together soon and have something new and interesting to show you.